THEELEMENTARYEDUCATIONACTOF1871-ITS WORKINGSINCEITSINTRODUCTION,ASSHOWNBY OFFICIALDOCUMENTS.
INaccordancewiththenoticewe gaveinourissueofthe6thinst.,we havenowthegreatpleasureofplacing beforeourreaders,theReportofthe CentralBoardofEducation,toHis ExcellencytheGoverner,fortheyear 1874,alsotheInspector'sAnnualReportonElementarySchools,forthesame period-theMinuteofHisExcellency, andotherPapers,relativetotheRemunerationofSchoolmasters,underthe preser.tElementaryEducationAct,the ReportoftheCentralBoard,onthe Governor'sMinuteandpapersrapeat to,andalsoaSupplementaryReporton GovernmentSchools-bytheInspector -Mr.W.ADKINSON-forthehalfyear ending306June1875.TheReport andpaperswhichhavenow,forthe firsttime,beenplacedinfullbeforethe generalpublic,showmostconclusively, thattheElementaryEducationAct,of 1871,asamended-isworkingwell-is admirablysuitedtothedemandsofa a mixedcommunity-affords theoperativeclassesthemeans-ata smallcost-ofgivingtheirchildrena soundEnglisheducation-amplyremuneratesTeachersworkingunder itsprovisions-hasbeenthemeansof affordingEducation,atacomparatively smallincreasedpublicexpenditureto ELEVENHUNDREDANDTWENTY-
EIGHTMORECHILDREN, thanwerebeingeducatedby thegovernmentin1871,andisaccomplishinginaEducationalpointofview allthatwasfromtheintroluctionof theAct,expectedordesired.Wewould onlyaskourreaderstoreadcarefully andimpartially,theofficialpapers,we haveplacedbeforethem,andwehave nottheremotestdoubt,thattheywill, withouthesitationendorsetheconclusionatwhichwehavearrived. e shallnowproceedtogive, OURREASONSFORPUBLISHINGTHESE
OFFICIALDOCUMENTS.
Wehavebeeninducedtodosofrom adesirethatthepublicshouldbe placedinpossessionofFACTSrelating totheworkingofthepresentElementary EducationAct,andthusbeenabled toformjustconclusionsinreference thereto.Ourcontemporarieshavenot gonesufficentlyintothepracticalworkingofthepresentsystem,whilefrom timetotime,lettershavebeenfreelyinsertedintheircolumns,condemningthe presentEducationalsystemasfalling shortofourwants,unjusttoteachers,and everandalwayscallingforimmediate emendation.Manyofouranonymous newspaperwriters-have,therecanbeno doubt-writtenwithouthavingbefore themsufficientdatafromwhichtoform fairandreliableopinions,whilemany others,havewritteninaspiritofprejudice,andsometimes,inatoneof hostilitytowardsanActwhichnever hadtheirsupport,andwhich,nomatter howbeneficiallyitcouldbeprovenit hadworked,wouldneversecuretheir sympathyoradhesion. Forthese strangeandurgantreasonsonly,have webeeninducedtoplaceourreadersin possessionoftheofficialdocumentsin question.
1874theywereeducatingnoless than TWOTHOUSANDSEVENHUNDRED ANDSEVENTYTWO.
ThatfromAnEconomicalpoint ofviewthepresentElementaryEducationActisworking wellmaybeinferredfromthefactthat fromtheReportoftheCenttalBoard ofEducationof14thApril1874,itappearsthatwhiletheGovernnment Schoolscostthepublicthesumof TWOPOUNDSEIGHTSHILLINGS foreachchildeducatedtherein
EIGHTHUNDREDANDTWENTYNINE CIIILDREN
werebeingeducatedinAssisted SchoolsatachargetotheRevenue ofonly ONEPOUNDEACH !
AndthattheCentralBoard in1874consideredtheElementaryEducationActtobedoingitsworkwellis evidentfromthefollowingextracttaken from THEREPORTOFTIIHCENTRALBOARD OFEDUCATION.
"Wedonothesitatetosay,thatthough theprinciplesofselfhelponwhichitis busedareinouropinion,somewhatin advanceofthepeopleitisworkingsatisfacto,ily,"andfromtheReportofthe sameBoardof30thNovember1875,in conjunctionwiththeInspector'sReport, inwhichtheCentralBoardfullyconcurs,itisidletocontend,thatthe presentEducationsystem,isnotgiving onthewhole,thebestpossibleproofof itsadaptabilitytoourrequirements.It hasoftenandoftenbeenallegedthat GOVEIINMENTSCHOOLTEACHERSARE
THEPUBLICBENEFITTHEEDUCATION ACTCONFERRED, willbeapparentfromtheInspector's Report,whichshowsthatwhilein1871 thegovernmentonlyeducatedSixteen HundredandForty-fourchildrenin UNDERI'AID
WhatistheTEUTII? Fromthe Inspector'sReportitwillbeseenthatof theMilkenGovernment,'7,elioolswhich havebeenworkingunderbothsystemsin1871theaggregateSalariesofthe Teachersthereofamountedto FINEHUNDREDANDTHIRTYPOUNDS, andin1874tonolessthan EIGHT111,NDliEDANDTWENTY-TWO POUNDS,NINETEENSHILLINGS,AND TENPENCE, TheassertionthatGovernmentSchool Teachershavenotbeenashighlypaid underthepresentEducationAct,as beforeitsintroductionisthussummarily, andweopine,mostconclusivelydisposedof.The RESULTSYSTEM againstwhichsomuchhasbeenwritten, is,asisclear,fromtheInspector'sReport of1874-waswhatwasreallyrequired, becauseinINSTRUCTIONasthe Inspectorremarks:-Theresultsoflast year'sexaminationsproveaverydecided improvementintheprogressandsoundnessofattainments,especiallyinthe lowerstandards.AstheInspectorof SchoolsReportshewstheResult Systemtoworkwell,weshallinour nextissuethecomplaintwhich theonlyDistrictBoardintheColony hasformallybroughtagainsttheworkingoftheElementaryEducationAct, viz:-TheDistrictBoardofAlbany.
REPORT
OFTHE
CentralBoardofEducation.
WESTERNAUSTRALIA.
OfficeoftheCentralBoardofEducation. Perth,27thApril,1875.
CentralBoardofEducationshallreceivereportsandcollectstatisticalinformation,and shallineachyearmakeafullreporttothe Governor,whoshalllaythesamebeforethe LegislativeCouncilatitsthennextensuing Session.Inaccordancetherewithwehave thehonortosubmitthisourreportforthe year1874.
Inthereportwehadthehonortomakefor theyear1873weenteredfullyintoall mattersconnectedwiththeworkingofthe ElementaryEducationActwesuggested variousalterationsintheLawwhichmet withapproval,andhavebeencarriedinto operationandwecommentedfreelyonthe proceedingsofDistrictBoards.Webegto referYourExcellencytothatreport,to whichinrealitythereislittletoadd.
Westilladheretotheopinionswethenexpressed,andrepeatthattheslaws,:ofthe systemofEducationnowinforcemainly dependsontheexertionsofthoseinthe variousDistrictsintheColonywhohave beenelectedtoadministertheLaw.We cannotshutoureyestothefactthatinmany instancesshortlyaftertheelectionofDistrict Boards,whenthenoveltyofthepositionhas wornoff,littleornointerestisevincedby members,andschoolsandteachersareleft withoutsupervision.Thetransactionsofthe pastyearhavebroughtthisveryforciblybeforeus,andthenatnralresultisthatthe systemisgraduallygettingintodisrepuW, notfromanydefectinthesystemitself,but fromawantofattentioninthosewhowork
YourExcellencywithanyfurtherremarks. Wehavethehonortobe. YourExcellency'smostobedientServants. FRED.P.BARLEE, Chairman,CentralBoardofEducation.
W.E.MARMION, J.HARDEY, Members, SEP.BURT, (G.Randell,absentfromtheColony.) LAURENCES.ELIOT, Secretary. HisExcellencyGovernorRobinson,C.M.G. &c.,&c.,&c,
ANNUALREPORTONELEMENTRY SCHOOLSFORTHEYEAR1874.
InsubmittingtotheCentralBoardofEducationmyReportontheElementarySchools inspectedduringtheyear1874,lamenabled tostatethatthehalf-yearlyexaminations, renderednecessaryundertheResultSystem, havebeenregularlyconductedduringthe periodunderreview.
AthirdvisitwasmadeinDecemberlast toaportionoftheEasternandSouthern Districts,forthepurposeofclosing,asfaras practicable,thepaymentson"Results"to allschools,beforecommencingattheaugmentedratesauthorisedbytheAmended EducationAct.
Wesubmit,asinpreviousreports,acomparativestatementofthenumberofSchools andScholars,andthecostperheadtothe ColonyandweestimatethatiftheCompulsoryClausesareproperlycarriedoutit willbenecessarytoprovideattheleast anadditionalthousandpoundsintheEducationalitemoftheEsainatesfor1876.
Year.No.ofNo.of schools.scholars.
SIR, Bythesixthsectionof"TheElementary EducationAct,1871,"itisenactedthatthe it. Therearenotableexceptions,whichmay beseenonreferencetothefiguresintheable reportoftheInspectorofSchools,herewith enclosed.
Underordinarycircumstances,anddating fromtheprotietslinginspeciiiin,thelastnan:edexaminationswerenotdueuntil March.1877, The(1i3Olicetravelledintheperformance ofthealoe,duties(calculatedbytheacknewleileeil,11staneesintheseverallocalities) Wasneur:yfourthousandmiles(311,-,6).
1.-NUMBEROF8(11,8LS.
ThenumberofGovernmentSchools remaininginoperationinthelastquarterof 1873was:',9.Duringthecer-espendingquarter ofle74.therewere66..Nine appear ontheli-tofthelatteryearwhichwerenot includeilintheformerReturnviz:Newcastle,re-opened1874
AlliiineReys',Northam,Boys'mewDepartwen!,Roebourne,Eeverley(town),Wannetee,Yethe .liteandale.established1874.
Theschoolinthefollowinglocalitieswere tensedhornybeforetheendoftheyear:MdldieSwan,Canning,TimberStation.
TheGovernmentSchoolformerlyheldat theCanningPoliceStationhasbeentransferredtotheCanningLanding,
Astrongfeelingstillprevailsandespecially inthePerthandFremantleDistricts,thatall buildingsforGovernmentSchoolsshouldbe providedfromPublicFunds.Unlesssuch anopinionisendorsedbytheLegislatureand YourExcellency,wedonotconceivewe shouldbejustifiedinchangingthecoursewe havehithertoadoptedandonthissubject wespeciallyreferYourExcellencytoparagraph5ofourreportdated14thApril,1874, andtheremarksofHisExcellencyGovernor Weldthereon.
SomeoftheDistrictBoardshavebrought undernoticethattheattendanceofscholars foronehundredandeightydaysineachyear necessarytosecuretheGovernmentGrant, aslaiddowninsection20oftheElementary EducationAct,isinexcessofwhatcan fairlybeexpected,butexperiencehasshown usthatsuchisnottheCase.Duringthe pastyearthereareinstancesofchildrenwho haveattendedfiftydaysinexcessofthe stipulatedtime.Schoolsareopenforfive daysineachweek,and,allowingforholidays, scholarswillstillexceedtheattendanceof onehundredandeightydaysiftheyomit onedayineachweek.
TheCompulsoryClausesoftheActare beinggenerallyadoptedthroughoutthe Colony,buttheyareatthesametimevery looselyenforced.Asallschoolsarenow paidbyresults,itistheinterestofteachers tosecuretheregularattendanceofscholars; andintheireffortstothisenditisonly reasonabletoexpecttheyshouldbesupported byDistrictBoards.Itisasimplefarceto puttheCompulsoryClausesoftheActin forceinaDistrictantiallowthem(ashas beenthecaseinmorethanoneinstance)to beevadedwithimpunity.
Somedifficultyhasariseninthemindsof JusticesofthePeaceastotheirpowerto bearanddeterminecasesandinenforcing theinflictionoffinesonparentsforthenonattendanceoftheirchildrenatschool,and wethereforeadvisethatashortadditionto theActbemadetosetthisquestionatrest byclearlyconferringthenecessarypowers toJusticesinPettySessions.
ThereportoftheInspectorofSchoolsis sofull,andaffordssomuchdetailinformation,thatwethinkitunnecessarytotrouble
ThreenewAssistedSchoolshavebeen addedtothelistduringthepastyear, makingthetotalnumberofsuchschoolsnow inoperation18.
Therearethus,inall,84Elementary Schoolswhollyorinpartsupportedfrom PunicFunds.
InthesubjoinedtabletheseElementary Schoolsarearrangedaccordingtodepartments Government Schools.
Boys'Schools Girls'Schools 3 Infants' 3 Mixed,GirlsandInfants,1 undermistress 5 Boys,GirlsandInfants 23 undermaster 24
Asaisted Schools. 2 7 IL-ATTENDANCE.
Appendedhereuntowillbefoundthe usualtabularstatements(App.1and2) skewingtheaverageattendanceattheseveral schoolsforthepastyear,ascomparedwith thatpreceding.Columnsareadded,exhibitingtheprogressmadeundertheabovehead forthewholeperiodcoveredbytheoperationsoftheElementaryEducationAct. Itwillbeobserved,onreferencetothese Appendices,thattheaggregatenumberof scholarsindailyaverageattendancebetween the1stJanuaryand31stDecember,1874, was,inGovernmentSchools,1836Assisted Schools,936total,2772.Comparedwith 1873thesefiguresshewanincrease,of249, viz142inGovernmentSchools,and107in AssistedSchools.
Viewedinconnexionwiththemeasures takenduringthepastyeartogivefulleffect tothecompulsoryclausesoftheEducation Act,Iventuretothinkthattheincrease,as shewnabove,(althoughslightlyinexcess oftheincreasedratesobtainedforsome yearspast)isscarcelysomuchasmight reasonablyhavebeenexpected.
ExceptatFremantleand(toamuch smallerextent)theVasse,schoolattendance has,asyet,benefittedbutverylittlebythe adoptionofCompulsoryBy-lawsinthe severaldistricts.
ThefollowingabstractofAp. 1 and2exhibitsthenetincreaseor in theaggregateattendanceinea e EducationalDistricts:-
Itsnout('benoted,inthecaseifFre maruseSchools,thatelutingthe)ear1874 MeteeatsU0changeilltlicMatttitteachers nuhewactionsetreestablishedourold bentabs e-opened'plisseliana901:11110 jUsiiI.)the:CuhCiUrlullMaitheexpandmutely mereaseutattenualice,assheenubote,is duesurelytothesucceesiulapplicationof theeuiepuisoeypoursexercisedbythe List:easwain.
Itmayfairlybeanticipated,thatbythe ens1.11thecairelit}ear,1.11eal.elllanceat the5c15015iuIncVetillDistrictKiltbeilgn 1111,1,4,JILIacUirtsp.antl'ig,ure1011greater, rutiu.
lutheyear187Jthenutubsrofchildren iuit'erstisi.sstii1J21,0,,L1siteage,or5and15 %'.a5 2 (do attileEtetnentty Maims.,IltauDisirmelit16;1was U..,LingUluS,:limars:IttheOtplialia8eS,as 11101. tile...at:11,1.410xattileoilier LaniicilLai).Sclits.s,Lulu.11CIii,c4catLilllance it,Lactatter,.1LICI,14taureal'1C.4;4,01167.1!
Itapinarsiroinlast}ear'sReturnsthat thethuatuciinscholar,Si,tilehieulentary bcook,.IuVerdiDistrict(susaboutequally divinedUetWeelltileUrOVerliiticlitandsissist- ingsellouts,rueattcuimucebeingrespectively :sadsoul3:1J.
Itmaybeadduced,asafurtherproofof tileOwitectiseuputittruntittheOafpn,sul) 1.1uSUa,teatiatitiatoDv Louimamlur UIIUCI'thepro visainsULClaUSC28c,,e.tieiitar,EducaLluit Act.
Ibegtosubmit,fortheconsiderationof thecetitristBuildthead5aaturiityutissuing cettoica.esto theirattainingthe baliaastititlabileletleyspec.n':,1IlltheBy- Lassutthelite,puthiieocautilBistros.
Fe,poems,whoiuca'uleandditiaeed co/liaisetimirdiddle:1'sstayatsellout Le:,0011 tomilestone,ottheistaleittionAct. 'USti,1Imasaile,bemiliteriecutoaltlitilaW 1.110,1 butalerbeliethe!bolepossession 01:sealatiocumentaffixudierparcuis noels.et:diele,iyinducedLo201101theirchit- tell1110,0le,o,irlyitha52ewtitacluising the'lidceitilicaie:15cattyasiu"line. 1antinclinedtothinkthatittheprovision undertheclausemauvemulledaitsbrought muleittuaimenti)tothenoticetitistrents, slid .oinked.IIISUUldlcuuskill) toFtualute
Anychildofmenu:tryintelligence,coinmencoigschism-amatfireorsr:;yoaistit ago.mat!flakingailattendancealaging SeardaysIllcactiweek.ought,asvidetopass lunytheFilthStandardbythetitheit attainedthetweifilibirthday.FewDistrict Boardswouldprobablythinkitwiseur expedient,atthepresenttimetoinsistupon aloglierstandard,intheCountryDistricts, thanthefourthorfilth.
Itbecomesmydtitytodirecttheattention oftheCentralBoardtothecomparatively largonumberofschoolswhuseaverage at,eittlaneehas,duringthepastyear,fallen belowtwelve.
ArigidenforcementofBy-Law19would resultintheimmediateclosingofeleven Go.esnatentSchools.Hitherto.theBoard hasnotbeendisposedtoadherestrictly,in all(-Issas,totheconditionsofthis13y-Law andIrespectfullysubmitthat,justnow. thereisgoodreasontoextendthesame leniencytotheschoolsadvertedto.
III.-AGEorSonoLalts.
Theaverageagoofscholarsintheseveral standardsvarieslittlelimothatofpiesisms years.ThenumberpiesentattheAnimal Examinationwhoseagesrangeflontfour yearstoseven.was ercent.ofthetotal numberexamilicil.
IV.-INSTRUCTION.
Thegeneralproficiencyofthescholars,as testedbytheatandrodExamination.is shoenilladetailedtomin:SppeudixIll. Thepope'sionminimalillthedifferent standaids,exclusiveofchi:Elvenunderseven willLeseenbythefollowingsummary:Pertentageexamined.ineachStandard I.I,Ill.ir.v.vivii GovernmentScho,is,202724167541I5 AssistedSchool., 2423524 96211
Withaviewofaffordingacomparisonof lastyours'resultswiththoseoftheproceedingyear,TabularStatementsaresubjoined shilitartothatinsertedintheReportfor 1873,sliewiugthepercentageofscholars passedineachstandardascomparedwith thenumberpresentedforexamination:--
servestostereotypethedefects.
3.Arithutaic.--Thegreatestnumberof failuresinthissubjectoccursingirls' andmixedschoolsunderfemaleteachers. Notationisstilltheweakpoint.My practiceisgenerallytodictatethe numbersinthestunstobeworked,butI havesometimestorelaxthisrule,and giveoutthefigures,inorderto*steertainthepupils'kilo%ledgeofarithmetical processes.Themadebelow,whichIuse asthemeasureofproficiencyinnotation willnotbeconsidereddifficultofattainment: Standen!1-Towritenumbersuptotwenty. thOtWandi 0 W.0 bunorthou.d.
1V.0 0bunofmmions
WithregardtotheInfants'SchoolsIhave noreasontoalterthetavurableopinionexpressosontheirmanagement,informerRe1,0119. PrevioustotheissueoftheAmendedB)Laws,theresusnoregulationdirecting teachersasto(Imagewhencluldreashuuldbe admittedintotheBobs'andGass'Schools. no,%%WIrespecttotheage%lientheyought tobedraftedfromtheluiants'Department. Itseasgenerallyunderstood,Ibeliese,that noscholarsshouldbemei,eaintothetermeruneersixoxsevenyearsofage;and thatinthelatternoneshouldberetained overseten.Pluctitally,laiweter,thematter wassettledbythediscretionorcapriceof theparents. Intheabsenceofanyabsoluterule,there hasalas.)sbeenfoundaclassotinfants nlthelso)s'and Sellouts,andanumber titschusitsbierageiutheDawns'schools therebbrenderingtheemploymentofan eX.rateacherin(asheaseticcessaty,allow anycorrespoudingadvautagetotheclassesrelentedto,outeatenwillspositivedisathaniotheotherscholarstorwhoseinsirucnuntherespectiveschoolswereepeciallydesigned.
SSRhinthelastfewweeksIhavevisited theseparateuepartitioasintheEustelII Districts,l'erili.and1reniantle,andliare louniithenewlay-LawXpromptlycouiplied ann. WithreferencetotheStandardExaminetwins,themustnoticeablefeaturespresented illthetoregingTablesofResultsare(I)the seoportionatetylargeuutuberofscholars 51110lastyearpassedinallsubjectsof standards1.and11.;and(2)thedeterioianonintimatedtoloottakenplaceinthe atitingtittheupperstandards.
'1hosefactsseemtocallforfurtherremarks
1. Reading:-Theimprovementunder thishead,notedabove,hasbeenbrought aboutinagreatmeasure,ifnotentitely bythesystemofindividualexamiliation. Formerly,thecharacterorsuccessof11 SC1100155,15estimatedonthetallaciuus lest01theaverage5118(1eiiligulthe severalclasses,Simonethereferenceto thenecessarydatarespectingtheage attendance.orprevlossatinintuentsof inditi,lu:alhdlOtill5. Underthemore smellingandreliabletestofholyioual examination,passes"madeinthelower ;manumitscontributeequallyIshiithose ofdiehigherinthegeneralestimate01 successtheyoungerchildrenare,in col...tool:ccreceivingagreatershare ofti,evaulters'attention. laterrigularhalt-yearlyinspections, thescholinsarebecomingmoleaccustomedtoexamination,andxhibitless ner,ou,nessthanformerly.With patience,andgentletreatmentofthe youneerchildren,Iamnowable(with theimportantdata,beforementioned,at hand),tofirmatolerablycorrectestimateofindividualprogress. IntheThird,Fourth,andFifthStandards,thereadingisveryfairthefew scholarswhoadvancetotheSixthor Seventh,read,onthewhole,remarkably well.
2. Writing,-AsregardstheFirstand SecondStandards,theremarksonthe readingapplyalsotothewriting.From theThirdStandard,upwmrdsIcannot reportsofavorably.Occas'onallyIhave examinedthescholarsinbothsubjects includedunderwriting-dictationand penmanshipbutgenerally,duringthe pastyear,the"passes"havebeendecidedonthecharacterofthepenmanship,forreasonsstatedinmyReport for1873. Inthemajorityofschools,thescholars are,Ibelieve,leftinagreatmeasureto themselveswhilstwriting.Theblots andrepeatedimitationofmis-speltwords whichdisfiguremanycopybooks,shies hovverylittleeitherofcriticism,or adsice,thescholarsreceiveduringthe progressifthelesson. Thewritingofthegirlsinmixed schoolstaughtbymaleteachersis,on thewhole,themostunsatisfactory.In thevainandabsurdattemptat"ladies" handwriting 1 havesometimesfound thattheheadlinecopyhasbeenaltogether disregarded.Iseenoobjectiontothe eldergirlsinElementarySchools,inthe SixthorSeventhStandardforexample, leainingwhatistermedtheangular styleofwritingprovidedthecopiesare suchastogiveadefiniteanduniform charactertothescholars'rtproduction IntheGovernmentBoys'Schoolat Perththedictationexercisesofthe upperclassesarewritteninblankcopy books.Thisisanexcellentplan,and mightwithadvantagebemoregenerally adopted.Inordertosecurethefull valueofthepractice,itisnecessary thatinthecorrectionoftheexercises thetwofoldobjectofthelessonshould bekeptconstantlyinview.Ifeither theorthography,orthepenmanship, goesuncorrected,thepracticeonly
4.GeographyandGrammar.-Underboth thesesubjectsIneticeafallingoffin thenumberpresentedforexamination. Ipurposeinfuture(withtheconcurrenceoftheCentralBoard)toexamine only(tuxabearfor"results"inGeographyandGrammies.Therequirementsundereachannualstandardill thesetwosubject4arescarcelycapable ofdi%isionintohalt-bearlycumBea withoutdefiningthelessonstobelearnt, soparticularly,astofadouras)stemof cram.Itisnotmyintentiontolimit tiltexaminationtotheAlanalInspection, buttomakethewhole)c'ar'sgrant embracetheabide}ear'ssunk.
5.History.-UnderthepeculiarconstitutionofourEducationalSystem,English Historyhasbeen,forobviousreasons, wiselyexcluded[runttheschoolcurriculum. 1aninoadvocatetor(lamming childrenwithdatesabouttheesemsand personsofremoteages,but1thinkita matterofregretthatthereisnobookon theBoard's"Listofapprovedbooks forschooluse"designedtoaffordinformationrespectingthegreatesentsof our011ntime.Withaviewofsupplyingthiswant,Ibegtoforaarilhematite fortheperusaloftheCentralBoard,a littleworkentitled"historyofthe NineteenthCentury,furSchools."Its design,asstatedinthepreface,is"to affordaviewoftheprogressachieved bytheCenturysofarasithasset advanced;andsincethosewhoarenow youngroustmaketheHistoryofitsremainingdecades,itisnecessarythat theyshouldhewellacquaintedwiththe incidentsandinventionoutofwhich thathistorymustdirectlyflow."It theCentralBoardapproveofitsuse, requestitmayheaddedtothelist abovementioned.
V.-Disciet.INE.
Closelyconnectedv%ithInstruction,and scarcelyoflessvalueinaneducationalpoint, istheMeiplineofaschool.
Thecircumsoncesoftheseveralschools aresovaried,thattoattempttojudgeall beanunvaryingstandardofmerit%meld olviouslyleadtounjustconclusions.There arecumparitiselyfeweaseswherethedisciplineshouldbereported altogether unsatistrctury.Whenthesehaveoccurred theyhavebeennotifiedintheindividual schoolreportstransmittedtotheCentral Beard.
Theindividualexaminationofthescholars imposesaeeryseveretestonthediscipline ofaschool,espe'dallyheretheroundsare crossed,ortheclasseslarge.Noteacher shouldbeheldresponsibleforoccasionalnets of"copying"amongstthescholarsunder thepressureandexcitementofanexanintationdaythesemustbeexpected,butwhen suchbreachesofdiseiplinetireofvery frequent,orofveryrareoccurrence,they affordtolerablysafeevidenceofahad,orof agood,moraltoneprevailingtheschool.
Withacautiontoscholarsatthecommencementoftheexamination,Ihave seldomranchdifficultyinconductingsubsequentproceedings.
VI.-Scumot.Fris.
Fromreturnstohand,itappearsCIAthe proportionper.cent.ofchildrenpayingthe differentratesofweeklyfeesaccordingto theauthorisedscaleisasfollows:Free,Dlper.cent.Paying31.,55per. cent.Pa)ing6d15per.cent.Paying ls.,10per.cent. VII.-Bl'iLDINGSANDFURNITURE.
1.Bulldroys.-GovernmentSchools,on beingestablished,rarelystartwithan averaueattendancenotchinexcessof themieirutim'cokedbytheRegulations.Theyare,therefore,forsome timemerelyexperimentalundertakings, andassuch,aretemporarilyheldin buildingswhich,thoughperhapsthe besteraeurablentthetimearenotso welladaptedforschoolpurposes,oron sitessoconvenientforthescholars,as desirable. Theschool-linuseserectedwith Governmentaidareforthemostpart substantiallybuilt,andgenerallysuitableforthepurposefurwhichthey wereerected.
Fournewschool-houseshavebeenvisited bytoe,forthefirsttime,lastyear.Three ofthesewerebuiltforoldestablishedschools, andonefuranentirelynewschool. 'flietenureofthebuildingsinwhichthe schoolsinspectedit1874wereheldinsheen inthefollowingtable:ashattitiacesproper GovernmentBuildings,Useallowed 'tentedItems PrivateBuildingslentbySettlers propertyofteachers,orfamily... PiaeesofWorship Mechanics'Institute,rentguaranteedby DistrictBoard
2.Furniture.-Theattentionofteachers hasbeencalledtothedefectivemodeof seatingtheyoungerchildren.Few countryschoolshavedeskaccommodationforallthescholarsandIhave notedthatgenerallythedeskstheyhave, aremonopolisedbytheelderscholars; 25 6 5 2 1
thelittlechildrenbeingseatedonforms toohightosupporttheirfeet,andwith nootherrestfortheirbooksorslates thanthataffordedbytheirknees.In thiscruelposturetheysit,oraresup- posedtosit,noinconsiderablepartof theday.Theevilispartlyrendered otdableowingtothenniformheight ofschoolforms.
Theironstandardsforderksandseats, formerlyimportedbytheGeneralBtand ofEducation,aremuchbetteradapted foruseinColonialSchools,thanthe cumbrouswoodendesksnowinuse. V111.
-TEACHERR.
1.PupilTeachers.-ThePupilTeacher System,asameansofsupplingtr'sined teachersfortheGovernmentSchools, hasnotbeensuccessful.
Onanaverage,therehasbeen,during thelasttenyears,notlessthaneight, pupilteachersintrainingintheGovernmentSchools.l'hesupplyofteachers fromthissourcehasbeenonlyfour. ThreeofthesewereeducatedatPerth, andoneatFremantle.Theirsubsequent conductandsuccesshasbeenhighly satisfactory. 'thereareatthepresenttwelvepupil teachersemployedintheGovernment SchoolsatPerth,York,Fremantle,and Guildford.
Attheannualcollectiveexamination ofpupilteachersheldinJanuary,1875, theaveragenumberofmarkswasnot sogoodasformerly.Infuturethese examinationsaretobeheldhalf-yearly,
2.PrincipleTeachers-Onthewhole' andwithseriousdegreesofsuccess,teachers hateperformedtheirJulien,duringthe year1874,steadilyandsatisfactorily. Itwasnoticedinmylastreportthat someuneasinesswasfeltbyteachers relativetothesystemof"paymentfor results,"asitisgenerallytermed.Since thedateofthatreforeallElementary Schoolshavecomeunderthatsystem. Thisfact.togetherwithrumouredreports(madeinignoranceof,andat variancewithactualfacts,)ofthe greatlyreducedsalarieswhichhave hithertoresultedfrontthechange,has lottheteachers,naturallyenough,to takeagloomyviewoftheirprospects. Thepresentoccasionseemsopportune forsheavingtryacomparitiyestatemetitthe alteredcircunistaneesofsuchschoolsas cameundertheActbeforethecloseof 1874. Duringtheyearjustnamed,theincomes of38schoolswerepaidunderthenew system;mustofthesewereeithernew schoolsestablishedundertheEducationAct, orhiedbeenplacedunderitsoperaticnsin thecourseoftheyear.
Thefollowingstatementcontainsthe namesofonlysuchschoolsashaveworked underbothsystems;andwhoseoperations havenotbeendisturbedbyanylengthened cessationofschoolroutine,duringthelast yearat
Beverley Firm Iliris' lirr.ldt.,nnog, IIawl rrieta,I'rnsioar' itinl.lt,irdGI:Is' Buck14 Wirklow1101s IS
3 Income.
*TheSchoolswithFixedIncomesof£25 in1571receivedalsotheFees,valuedonan averageat£6per.annum. IX.-CONCLITSIONS DRAWNFROMPAST WORKINGOFTIMRESULTSYSTEM.
TheResultSystemhasbeenofgradual applicationtotheGovernmentSehools,being virtuallyintroducedbythelateGeneral BoardofEducationintheyear1869. IntheReportofthatBoardfortheyear 1868aTableofStandards,asthebasesof futnreexaminations,wassetforthasa tentativemeasure,withtheulteriorobject, aswasstated,"toadvancetheStandard SystemtoeResultSystem."
InAugustofthefollowingyeartheGeneral Boardissuedtotheteachersacircular,infoiniingthemthattheannualgratuities usuall)awardedatChristmas(andwhich budbeeninsomeinstancesregardedasa reliablesourceofschoolincome)wouldin futuredependontheInspector'sReport,and bemadeaspaymentforresults,accordingto ascalethereinspecified.
ThebeneficialeffectswhichhavefollowedafurtherextensionoftheResult SystemundertheprovisionsoftheElementaryEducationAct,initsapplicationtoa portionoftheElementarySchoolsduringthe lastthreeyears,maybebrieflysummedup asfollows:-
1.Instruction.-Ithasalreadybeen sliewn,inTablesIand2,sectionIV,ofthis Report,thattheresultsoflastyear's examinationsproseaverydecidedtinpro5emenintheprogressantisoundness 01attainments,especiallyinthelower Standards.
2.Attoulance.-UndertheTableaccompanyingSectionVIII,thetotalaverage attendanceattheschoolsunderthe ResultSystemfrom1871to1874skews anincreaseof16per.cent.Theattendanceattheschoolswithfixedsalaries forthesanteperiodshowsadecreaseof threepercent.
3.Emoluments.-Ineverycasewherethe attendancehasbeenmaintained,aniliac-
wenttotheschoolincomehasfollowed achangeofsystem.Inonlyoneschool (FremantleGirls')dothereturnsshew anabsoluteloss;andhereonlyinproportiontothereductionoftheaverage attendance. Itisafallacytosupposethatthesmall
countryschoolswillgenerallysufferunder 'theResultSystem.Theaveragecostper headforinstructionintheseschoolsfalls belowthegeneralaveragecost,andhence underasystemwhosetendencyistoassimilatetheincomemoreinproportiontothe attendance,itmaybeexpectedthatthese
APPENDIXI.
smallcountryschoolswillbenefitmostby thechange. TheaveragecobtperheadinSchoolsunder theResultSystemwas£28s.in1874,being exactlythemountshewntohavebeenthe costperheadontheaverageattendanceof alltheGovernmenttic.:!oolsin1873. W.ADKINSON.
emphaticassertionofthosewhomightbesupposedtobebestinformedonthesubjectthat thepositionofalldeservingteacherswould beundoubtedlyimprovedbythealteration, whichinducedtheCounciltosanction SupposingtheGovernmentSchoolswere theonlyones,themethodofresultpayments whichwasconsequentlyuniversallyapplied, togetherwiththeenforcementofthecompulsoryclames,wouldcertainlyplacetetie'lers inamostenviableposition,butwhere,asin Albany.thereareassistedandprivateschools competingwiththem,thepresentsystem makesitimpossiblefortheseGovernment Schoolstoobtainthatamountofsupportfrom thepublicwhichwouldbenecessaryitifisto workforthebenefitoftheteachers,instead of.asatpresent,totheirverygreatdisadvantageanddiscouragement.
Beforeenlarginguponthedemeritsofthe resultpaymentsystem,wemayheremention anothercauseofthisunfortunatestateof things-thescaleoffees.Otherschools naturallychargethesamerateforthesame qualityofinstruction.'theGovernment schools.ontheotherhand,arecompelledto charge,alsofurthesamequalityofinstruction, differentrates.accordingtothedifferent incomesoftheparents.
Parentshavinglargerincomeswouldnot objecttopayithigherrateifforthathigher rametheyobtainedahigherclassof01,1111Ct1011.buttheycrynaturallyobjecttopayGds Is.torwhatmhosobtainfor3(1..andconse.pmentlysendtheirchildrentoschoolswhere limeyaletaughtatthesameuniformrate. ThisscaleoffeesrobstheGovernment Schoolsofnumber,ofchildrenwhoseattendancetheywouldotherwisesecure. But.toreturntotheresultsystem.The principalcauseofinjurytoteachersunder thepre-eatsystem,seemstobe,thatthe teachers.althoughsupposedtobepaidaccordingtothere-illsoftheirefforts,arenotsoin leality,mindthittheirincomesdependupon theiv/di/rugQforlo/miceasmuchas111/011 theatimefiruncyof'heirscholars. TheCetera!Board,,ecingdoubtlesshow injuriousthearrangementwould[Wovetothe interestsofleachers,recommendedstrongly thattheDistrictHoardsshouldenforcethe c'ompulsor'yClausesoftheAct.andmore tot;null:illyshouldinsistonregularityof attendance. OarBoard,fearing,thatteacherswould Lacesomediffieultyinmakin,alivingunder henewregelations.felthenemssimyofintroducingtheseclauses.butterysoothaundtha.t itspowerofmnomiciii_:i.eyetarit.i,ofattendance wasconfinedforallpramiealmarlusestothe Goselmon-tm:t.iiimmols.andthatiwasquite powerlm.sstoexmo.cisethesamesupervision racerdie,i:tylldall(eatpriviticandassisted hook.Theetiforceinentoftimecompulsory melesesbeingofcoursetinpopuhir,henatural resultwasthatpaIt1Isrcnirncdtheir childrenfromtheGovernmentSchools,and sentthemtothoseatwhichtheBoardisuntoenforceregularity. thereforeto.ottlthatcarryingoutthe recommends,emsoftheCentralBoardonthis scoreratherinjuredtheteachersthanoilierwi-e,bysensiimlydiminishingthenumberof he l,lars.andwehavenodoubtthatall Sebum)]Beardsthathaveattemptedtocarry outthesetecommentlationsoftheCentral Hoardtcitlrtegarmltocompulsoryregularity ofattendancewill.wherebesidestheGovernmentSchoolsoilierschoolsareinoperation, andthepopulationisnotverylarge,have ;ouzelthesamedifficulty.
Fremantle-.Frentatitlelists'
1)0. Northampton,
Greenough...Greenough, 21 21 Wellington...Bnnbury, 374030
Perth 1)o. Perth,Boys, Girls' 86 123 78 123 90 135 12 12 1)o. York Darmlanup York 40 63 21 56 26 53 5 3 1)0. Infants' 9888;9 9 563 1,522 646133 9 TOTAL 76382993615245
Mu,atebyIllsErocliencytheGovernor.
THECENTRALBOARDOFEDUCATION.
Inforwardingtheaccompanyingpapersfor theconsiderationoftheCenttalBoardof Education,theGovernorwouldbegladto havefromtheBoats)anexpressionoftheir opinionastothesuccessorotherwiseofthe systemofpaymentbyresults.Ithasbeen wpdontheGovernorthatteachersinsome ofthesmallercentre;ofpopulationcannot makealivingunderthepresentsystem antithatwestandfacetofacewiththisdifficulty-thatsuiteofthebestcountryteachers havenotonlytalkedofresigningbuthave made,movementsinthatdirection.
Fromthenumerouscomplaintswhichhave reachedhim,theGovernorcannotbutthink thatsomemodificationofthepresentsystem asappliedtoremoteandthinlypeopleddistrictsmightbedesirable.Certainlyit cannotlieproperthattheteacher'slivelihoodshouldbedependentonthecapriceof scholarsortheirparents.asinthecase quotedbySirThomasCampbell;andthe GovernorisinclinedtothinkthattheCentralBoardshouldreserve toitselfthepowertosaythatincertainschools theteachersshallreceivecertainfixedminimumsalaries,tobesupplementedbyabonus forresultsthusrelievingtheteacherfrom anxietyastohismeansofsubsistence,and atthesametimefurnishinghimwitha wholesomeinterestintheregularityofattendanceandsuccessofhispupils.Theseremarks,however,aretentativeonly,the Governor'sobjectbeingtoinvitetheopinion andresuarls.softheCentralBoardinthefirst
Instance.
WILLIAMC.F.ROBINSON. 12thNovember,1573.
SirT.CockburnCampbell,Hart,toHis ExcellencytheGovernor. Albany,Nov.6th.
MYDEARSIR.Wewereextremelygladtoseefromreportsin'hepapersofspeechesyouhadmade duringyosrtourintheEasternDistricts. thattheGovernmentwillbefavorableto sonicalterationin;hepre-ensEducationAct. moreespeciallywithregardtothepayment ofleachers. ItakethelibertyofsendingyoutheoriginaldraftofaCircularletterwhich.ina somewhatabri,.otgedform.wehavesentto thedifferentschoolboardsinthecolony. Asanexampleinpointoftheabsurdinjusticeofthepresentsystemofpayineut trillmentionacasewhichoccurredherea fewdaysago.OarSchoolmistresspunished agirlforgrosslybadconduct.Themother camedownantibehavedmostviolently,and nextdaytookallherchildrenawayfromthe GovernmentSchoolandsentthemtoan other;thosechildrenin4or5dayswould havemadeuptheirnumberof180but inConsequenceoftheirreutovalthepoor teacherloses whichshecanillspare, throughnofaultofherown.Idotrustthat duringthecomingSessionsomethingmaybe donetoalterthisstateofthings.
Ihave,&c., T.COCKBURNCAMPBELL.
HisExcellencyGovernorRobinson,C.M.G. Albany,October10th,1875.
SIR,-
TheDistrictBoardofAlbanyhavinghad eightmonths'experienceoftheworkingof
thatEmincationalsystemwhichonthe1st ofJanuarylastWA.,introducedthroughout thiscolonyinitsen,iroty.hasleaomtofeel soextremelydi-mi.-liedwiththeresultsof someo.itspro,isions.andissofullyconvincedoftheinjurytheyarelikelyto dotothecatteofpubicinstruction.ascarriedonintheGovernmentSchools.thatit hasresolvedtomakeavigorousefforttoobtainsomemodificationofthesystem.andfor thispurposethinksitwelltoaddressyour Board.andindeedeveryDistrictBoard throughouttheColony,tourgeuponyou. shouldyoualsohaveexperiencedthesaute difficultiesincarrying.outtheActwhichthi-, Boardhasencountered.tomakeacommon andcombinedeffortforthepurposeofsecuring.duringthenextsessionoftheLegislature. suchalterationsasarenecessaryforsatisfactorilyworkingit.
Oneofthepointswhichwethinkmost objectionableandinwhichaboveallthings weareanxioustoseesomealterationeffected, isthesystemofpayingallOacliersby(socalled)"results."
Wehaveunanimouslycometotheconclusionthatifthismodeofpaymentiscontinuedinitspresentformitmustleadtothe ruinofGovernmentSchoolswhereverthey areestablishedunderconditionssimilarto thosewhichobtaininAlbany;mustrender thesubsistenceoftheteachersprecarious; lowerthetoneoftheirschools,bylessening theirauthorityovertheirscholars,andbe productiveofadvantageonlytoassistedand privateschools.
Itwas,webelieve,withmanymisgivings thattheCouncillastyearconsentedtoset asidethepromisebywhichteachersinthe receiptoffixedsalariesweresecuredinthere enjoymentwhiletheyremainedinthe Governmentemploy,anditwasonlythe
Onchundredandeijitydays'attendance maynotscenta,eryhugenumbertorequire, Lotthefactremainsthatmanychildrendo notmaketipthatnumberofdays'attendance duritivtheyear.and.aswehaveexplained, tileeffortsoftheBoardtoenforceamore regularattendancehaveproved,andmust necessarilyunderexistingcircumstances prove,anythingbutsatisfactoryorforthe advantageoftheGovernment1choolteachers. Andtheinjusticeoftheregulationcannotbe denied.whichrobsthemofallremuneration fortheirefforts.notwithstandingthepossibly highlysatisfactoryresultsofthoseefforts,if certainconditionshavenotbeencomplied withbythescholars.conditionstowardsthe snifi:iseniofwhichtheteacherispowerless 10con:Filmic.Thiscannotrightlybecalled paymentbyresults;andinplacessituated asthis.itisvoe:esstoexpectthatcompetent personswilleitherterraininorenterthe servicesolongastheseregulationsarein force.
Theeffectofthepresentsystemalsoonthe disciplineoftheschoolsismostdisastrous,it 1,eing,acoalitionoccurrenceforpupils threatenedwithpunishmentforhadconduct tothreaten.intheirturn,injurytothe teachers.eitherbyirregularityofattendance, orbyremovingtoanotherschoolandwhen thedailybreadofateacherdependsupLn thenumberandregularityofattendanceof Irisscholars,thiscannotfailtoprovemost injurious. Itwillbedoubtlessunnecessaryforusto pointoutatgreaterlengtnstheevilsofthe presentsystem,asyourboardhas,wefeel suie,experiencedthem.
InconcludingourremarkswewouldexpressthehopethattheDistrictBoardof Fteinantlewilljoinus,inendeavoringto mitigatetheseevils,byinducingtheLegisliltiteComethroughourseveralmembers, toadoptsomemodificationoftheso-called resultpayment.system,whichhasprovedso injurioustotheinterestsofGovernment Schools.
Thesuggestioninthisdirection,madewe believebytheGreenoughBoard,seemstoas awiseone,thatallteachers(inGovernment Schools)shouldreceiveacertainfixedminimumsalary,tobesupplementedbybonuses forresults,made,itmaybehoped,onsome basismoreequitablethanahepresentone. Wearealsodecidedlyofopinionthatthe existingscaleoffeesshouldnotberetaincd.
Towardstheattainmentoftheseobjectswe hopetosecurethecooperationofyourBoard, AndareSir,&c., S.A.HARE.Hon.Sec., OnbehalfoftheMembersoftheBoard. TheHonorarySecretaryoftheFremantle DistrictBoardofEducation. WILaTKIINAUKRAJAA. TheCentralBoardofEducationtoHisExcellencytheGovernor, OfficeoftheCentralBoardofEducation. Perth,30thNovember,1873. SIR, Wehavethehonortoacknowledgethe receiptofYourExeellency'sMinuteofthe 12thinstant,transmittingforourperusal andconsiderationcertaincorrespondence fromtheAlbanyDistrictBoardofEducation, andrequestinganexpressionofouropinion uponthesystemnowobtaininginthisColony fortheremunerationofTeachersofGovernmentSchoolsand,inreply,wehavethe honortoinformYourExcellencythatthis questionhasreceivedonrmostcarefulconsiderationandattention,andsincethematter hasbeenunderourconsiderationwecalled upontheInspectorofSchoolstomakea ReportontheworkingoftheElementaryEducationActforthehalfyearended30thJune last,inreferencetotheemolumentsofTeachers ascomparedwiththeirformerfixedincomes, whichReportweencloseforYourExcellency'sinformation. TheInspectorhassetforthmostablythe workingofthepresentsystemand,fully concurringinhisremarksthereon,weareof anopinionthat,asthelargerportionofthe schoolsremainedunderthefixedsalaried systemtillthefirstJanuarylast,andthereforecouldnotbeexpectedintheshortspace atsixmonthstoshapethemselvestothe stipulationsandconditionsimposedbythe EducationActof1871,itisnotadvisableto makeanychangeinregardtothemethodof remunerating'leachersandwewouldimpressthismoreforciblyonYourExcellency because,outofthesixteenschoolswhichthe InspectorshowsinTable1ashavingearned lessthanthefixedstipendespreviouslypaid totheTeachers,fourofthemmarkedwithan asteriskdonotmaintaintheminimumattendancerequiredbytheBy-Laws,andconsequentlyarenotentitledtoaidfroml'ublic Funds;andfromreturnsreceivedforQuarter ended30thSeptember,webelievethatthe Teachersofonlythreeoftheremaining elevenSchoolswill,duringthecurrenthalt year,losebythechangefromthefixed salariedsystemtopaymentbyResults.In referencetothesethreeschoolswewould observethat,inconsequenceofthediminutioninthenumberofscholars,thefixed salariesformerlypaidtotheTeacherswere farinexcessof,andquiteoutofproportion totherategenerallypaid.
YourExcellencywillagreewithusthat inanysystemwhichcanbedevised,circumstancesmustandwillarisewhichsometimes mayappeartocausehardshipsonthosewho areworkingunderitsprovisionsbutwe respectfullysubmitthatthecasequotedby SirT.C.Campbellisanexceptionaland isolatedone,andonewhichmightoccurin connectionwithanyothermethodofremuneratingtheservicesofTeachersofpublic elementaryschools.
Wewouldfurtherremark,forYourExcellency'sinformationthatthegrantprovidedbytheElementaryEducationActfor eachchildattendingonehundredandeighty daysintheyearhasbeenfixedatthehigh rateof£310s.tomeetallreasonablecasualties,suchassickness,&c.,whichmight affecttheattendanceofscholars;andwe maystatethatcasesofthedescriptionreferredtobySirT.C.Campbellwereexpected totakeplace,andwerealsotakeninto considerationinarrivingattheamountof thegrantwhichwouldbefairandreasonable foreachchildcomplyingwiththerequired attendance.Ifithadbeenanticipatedthat everychildontherollsofGovernment schools,orevesinaverageattendance,would complywiththeconditionsimposedbythe Act,theAnnualGrantperheadrequiredto ensureafairandreasonableremunerationto theTeacherswouldhavebeen.considerably lessthanthatfixedbythe20thClause. ConvincedaswearethattheTeacherswho, inaccordancewiththeamendmentofthe EducationActpassedbytheLegislaturein 1874,wereobligedatthecommencementofthe yeartoplacetheirschoolsunderthesystem ofpaymentbyResults,willasabody deriveconsiderablebenefitfromthe changeandthatthescholarswill receiveagreateraniountofattentioninregardtotheinstructionimparted,aswellastheregulariyoftheir attendance,westronglyrecommendthatno furtheralterationbemadeastotheirremunerationuntilthe',resentEducationAct hashadafairandimpartialtrial. Webasethehonortohe, YourExcellency'sna,tobedientServant.
IhadthehonortolaybeforetheCentral Board,itwasshownthatattheendofthat yearthereweresixty-sixGovernmentSchools inoperation.Fiveofthesefromvarious causeswerethenclosedtheoperationof sevenotherswereatdifferenttimesdining thefirstsixmonthsofthecurrentyeartemporarilysuspendedthroughchangeof teachersandonehaspassedtothelistof AssistedSchools.
2.Theremainingfifty-threeschoolshave beenarranged,forthepurposeofthisReport, undertwolists(Appendix).Table1representstheschoolsatpresentinatransition state,i.e.,thosewhichremainedunderthe FixedStipendSystemuptotheendoflast year.TheschoolsinTable2havebeenfora. longerperiodunderthefullinfluenceofthe EducationAct,andhavethus,moreorless, shapedthemselvestothestipulationsand conditionsimposedbythenewmodeofpayment.Consequently,theselatteraffordthe bestcriteriaofitsbearingonthefinancial positionoftheteachers.
3.Itshouldbenotedattheoutset,asexplanatoryofmostofthechangesinthe incomesoftheteacherswhichthemodeof paymentnowinforcehaseffected,thatunder theFixedStipendSystemthereexistedno definiteruleswherebythesalarieswereregulatedeitherwithregardtotheattendanceor proficiencyoftheschools.Hence,while someschoolsweremaintainedatanexpenditurefromthePublicFundsconsiderably lessthanthegeneralaveragecostper.head, othersofalessefficientcharacterweresupportedatacostverymuchinexcessofthat average.
TheBoys'Schoolsat.Northam,andYork affordanotableillustration.Thefixedsalary oftheTeacherofNorthamSchool,havingan averageattendanceforthethreelastyears of37,was3.:40andthefees;theTeacherof YorkSchool.withanattendanceof22, received£100a-yearandahouse.Thus,at Northamthecostperheadontheaverage attendancewasOnepoundtwoshillings(El 2s.)atYorkthecostperheadamountedto Fourpoundselevenshillings(E.4.1ls.)
Forthesixmonthstheseschoolshavebeen maintainedinaccordancewiththeprovisions oftheEducationAct,theNorthamTeacher hasbeenpaida'therateof£98perannum andtheMasterofYorkSchoolat£70.
Toquoteonemoreexamplethefixed salaryattachedtoPerthBarracksSchool was£25,andattendance40scholarswhile atSouthPerth,withanattendanceof10,the 'teacherreceived£35.
4.Similarly,thereductionintheincomes oftheTeachersatAlbany(Boys'),Picton. NorthGreenough,andYork(Girls')maybe accountedfor.
Itisnotmyintention,however,toimply bytheseremarksthattheTeachersinquestionwereeitheroverpaid,orresponsiblein everycaseforthecomparativelysmallattendanceattheirschools.
5.Ithasbecomenecessary,underthe presentsystem,thatthestaffofteachers shouldheregulatedinporportiontotheattmilanceaccordingtoadefinitescale.In theabsenceofsucharegulationthenumber ofTeachersemployedinl'erthGirls'School hasbeenbeyondtherequirementofthe numberofscholarsinattendance.The schoolearningsforthesixmonthsended June30thhave,inconsequence,fallenshort ofthetotalamountofsalariesforthatperiod bythesumof£1815.IntheFremantle Infant,School,ontheotherhand.owingto thcinadequatestaffemployed,thegrant underther20thClauseoftheEducationAct exceededtheformercostoftheschoolby 15s, Thestaffineachoftheseschoolshassince beenregulatedinaccordancewithBy-Law39. TheTeachersinPerthGirlsSchoolnow receivepermonth.fortheCapitationGrant alone,asumequaltotheirformerfixed monthlysalary.
IntheInfants'School,Fremantle,anAssistantMistresshasbeenappointed,the SchoolGrantbeingfoundsufficienttogive theSchooltheadvantageofasecond adultTeacherandleaveamarginforthe increaseoftheHeadTeacher'sformerfixed salary.
6.Infourschools,viz.,NorthBackFlats, Serpentine,SouthPerth.andAustralind,the attendancehasfallenbelowtheminimum entitlingthemtoreceiveanyaidfromthe EducationalGrantandtothisdiminution intheattendancemustbeattributedtheloss ofincomeforthepasthalf-year.
attendedschoolonaveragemorethan threedaysperweekinthesixmonths. Theattainmentsofthescholars,asmight beexpected,wereequallyunsatisfactory:infiveschoolsonlythreescholarswere presentedforexaminationbeyondthe ThirdStandard.
10.IstatedintheAnnualReportfor 1874thattheonlydistrictsinwhichthecompulsorypowersoftheActhadbeensuccessfullyapplied,wereFremantleandtheVasse. ItwillbeseenfromtheReturns(Table2)that theTeachershaveaccordinglyrealizedthe greatestadvantagebytheworkingofthe EducationAct.AtBusseltontheMaster's incomehasrisenfrom£100to£190per annum.TheHeadMasterofFremantleBoys' Schoolwillprobablyreceivenotlessthan £300forthecurrentyear,whiletheSecond Masterreceivedforthefirstsixmonthsasum equaltohisformerannualsalary.
11.Thefactsabovestatedwill,Ithink, provebeyondadoubtthatthelargeTown SchoolsandthesmallCountrySchoolshave asaruleleenefittedbytheoperationsofthe ElementaryEducationActbutthereisa thirdclasswhosepositionislessfavorable. IrefertotheGovernmentSchoolsestablished inthesmallerTownsintheColony,asGuildford,Albany,Bunbury,&c.Theschool-going populationintheseplacesisgenerallysufficientlynumeroustosupportonereallygood schoolbutincompetitionwithassistedand privateschools,theattendanceinanysingle departmentoftheGovernmentSchoolsrarely exceedsthatofagoodCountrySchool.
ForobviousreasonstheTeachersofthese TownSchoolsshouldpossesshigherqualificationsthanaregenerallynecessaryforthe ruraldistricts,andberemuneratedaccordingly.Actingonthisprinciple.ahigher rateoffixedsalarywasapportionedtothese schoolsundertheoldsystembutinasmuch asthesalarywaspaidwithoutanyconditions ofsuccess,theresultswerenotalwayscommensuratewiththecost.
Theplanwhichnaturallysuggestsitselfas applicabletothecaseoftheTownSchools, whilestillretainingtheprincipleofpayment forresults,is,tograduatethevalueofthe bonusforresultsaccordingtothestandard passed.
Thisplan,however,ifapprovedofbythe CentralBoard,wouldbenullifiedinitsapplicationbythelimitoftheEducational GrantunderClause20oftheElementry EducationAct.
12.Inregardtothelimitationunderthe 20thClauseoftheAct,itseffectmaybeconsideredastwofold
(a.)Asfixingastandardofattendanceit improvedtheregularityofattendanceatthose schoolsunderitsoperationtoaconsiderableextent.
(b.)Assimplylimitingthegranttoan attendanceof180days,thefollowingobjectionsareraised(withsomeshowof reason)againsttheprincipleofits operations:-
1.Thatthegrantisbeyondthereachof anyscholarenteringtheschoolafterthe firstthreeorfourweeksofthehalf-year.
2.Thatachildmayfailtoreachtheattendancefortheallowance,andnotbe BOirregularastoforfeithischangeof passingexaminations.
3.Thatnoallowancecanbemadein caseswheretheattendancehassuffered fromcausesbeyondthecontrolofthe Teacher.
13.Igatherfromtheopinionsexpressed byDistrictBoardsthatareductionofthe 180dayswouldgenerallybeconsidereda satisfactoryamendment.Iventuretothink, however,thatwhileitwouldmakethegrant moreeasilyattained,itwoulddestroyitt valueasastandardofattendancewithous removingtheobjectionstoitsprinciple.
14.Shoulditbethoughtnecessaryatany timetorecommendanalterationoftheAct,I venturetosuggestthatthe20thandcorrespondingportionof26thClauseberepealed thattheattendanceshould,asnow,bethe basisofremuneration;thatthesalariesbe opentorevisionattheendofeachyear,and accordingtoascaletheaverageattendance determinethefixedsalaryforthenexttwelve months.Thebonusforresultstobegraduatedaccordingtotheseveralstandards. Ihave,&c., W.ADKINSON.
TheSecretary,CentralBoardofEducation.
TABLEI.
SCHOOLSONFIXEDSALARIESUNTILJANUARY1sT,1875.
NAYS
A.O'GRADYLP:HMV. Chairman,CentralBid.ofEducation. W.E.MARM1ON, 0.RANDELI SEP.BURT. Members. G.SHENToN, LAURENCES.ELIOT, Secretary.
ToIllsExcellencyGovernor
C.M.11.&c.,&c..&c., SappltvienlaryReportonGovernment furIlalf-YearendedJune30,1875. Perth,13thNovember,1875. SIB, Ihavethehonor,bydirectionoftheChairmanof!heCentralBoardofEducation,to submitthefollowingReportontheworking oftheEducationActasaffectingtheemolumentsoftheteacherscomparedwiththeir formertisedsalaries. 1.IntheAnnualReportfor1874which Robinson, Schools,
7.Table2.-Itwillbeobserved,with respecttothe25schoolsonthislistthatno lessthan20wereestablishedprevioustothe EducationActandthatthefixedsalaryof14 was£25andfees.Thevalueofthefeeshas beenestimated,ontheaverage,atSixpounds (.£6)perannum.Innocasehasthesalary ofanyoftheselatterschoolsexceeded£35. OmittingtheTownSchool(PerthBarracks)fromthecalculation,thesumspaidto theTeachersoftheremainingCountry Schoolsforthehalf-yearendedJune30th giveanaverageincomeof£55perannum,acleargainof£20perschoolontheformer fixedsalary,infavourofthepresentsystem.
8.Inregardtothethreeschoolsonthe secondtable,showntohavesustainedaloss ofincome,itwillbenoticedthattwo(RockinghamandCentralGreenough)havefailed tokeepuptheminimumaverageattendance (By-LawXIX),andthethirdwasclosedfor someweeksowingtotheTeacher'sillness.
9.Theonlydistrictwhich,asawhole,has sustainedalossofincomebyoperationsofthe EducationAct,istheGreenough.WithrespecttotheschoolsinthisdistrictIbegto submitthefollowingfacts ThenumberofGovernmentSchoolsinthe districtissix.Theaverageattendancefor thehalf-yearended30thJunewas96; thenumberofscholarsontherolls,157 oftheseonly45wereshowntohave